Review: All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin HQN (July 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373776942
• ISBN-13: 978-0373776948

Book Description


Can a summer fling turn into love that lasts a lifetime?

Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he'll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool's Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he's frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous...assets.

Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family-yet she can't move toward the future while she's haunted by painful memories.

Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer?


About the Author

 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women. Publishers Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Susan lives in Seattle with her husband and her tiny but intrepid toy poodle. Visit her at www.SusanMallery.com.


My Review

 Another winner from prolific romance author Susan Mallery.  This outing features tomboy fireman Charlie Dixon.  Charlie's two best friends have found love with the Stryker brothers so why not Charlie as well.

The book features the struggles that Charlie has in the relationship with her mother and her fear of intimacy due to a date rape in college.  And her mother's reaction to that episode in her life.  They have been estranged for years but her mother reaches out to her...in all the wrong ways.  A self centered diva, her mother finds fault in everything about Charlie.

And Clay Stryker's brothers have trouble taking him seriously as well.   A former model Clay who has been away from his family for a long time as well, works hard to show his family that he can work hard.  He impresses Charlie with his hard work and dedication when he tries out to be a volunteer fireman. 

But can these two who have so little in common find true love...everyone in Fool's Gold finds true....don't they?